Letters

September 10, 2004

Some Free Advice

I'm more than a little confused about how Hartford contracts for and then uses its school buses. First, we find out that a contract for the bus service was awarded to the highest, rather than the lowest bidders, (Damage Award Reinstated, Aug. 25) and that the unsuccessful bidders have secured at least half a million and potentially far more, in punitive damages.

Second, we find out in this week's City Line column that a first day of school program which was supposed to encourage literacy winds up being a tour for an aging radio host and ``dignitaries'' to make sure that Hartford schoolchildren see the correct flag and know how to recite the Pledge of Allegiance (Radio Host Prompts Opening Day Change, Sept. 8). Did someone forget loyalty oaths for teachers and bus drivers? Here's some free advice from the suburbs: Award contracts based on price, not politics, and teach kids to read and appreciate learning. The rest will take care of itself.